Rain, Rain and more rain!

We read a British newspaper on-line in the morning. Two bits of news gave us a laugh last week – the UK having a heat-wave, and the outcome of some study on drivers being annoyed about pot-holes in the roads; the danger of avoiding them and the damage done to their shock absorbers!

A heat-wave? – yes, areas of the UK have been sweltering and health authorities have been issuing advice for vulnerable people, while here in tropical Costa Rica, there’s been one weather front after another for the last month and the rainy season has gone crazy.

At this time of year, we expect beautiful sunny mornings, a big dump of rain at mid-day or early afternoon, then a lovely afternoon. But instead, we’ve had a load of overcast days with early rain lasting all day and into the night. I got caught in a deluge in town last week.

With double parking in narrow streets, drivers hug the pavements so their wheels block the rain gutters and here’s the result… a raging torrent – no point in taking shelter, this isn’t going to stop so I wade back to the car and climb in with the feet soaked again. That’s why Tico women wear platform soles, they’re not so daft after all!

As for the pot-holes? – folks back home, you’ve no idea what a pot-hole is until you visit Costa Rica where the rainy season wreaks havoc with road surfaces – you would be forgiven for thinking the driving population lives in a permanent state of alcoholic stupor as we weave round the deadly perils.

My fast rat-run round the south of town was repaired in March but here’s what it looks like now! Funny though, I took this photo in the morning and retraced the route in the afternoon, only to find Perez Zeledon municipal workmen in action – filling the holes!!

Wonder if someone tipped them the wink their giant holes were going to feature on WeLoveCostaRica.com!

The municipality is getting a much bigger investment – widening two narrow bridges to connect/complete the four-lane Interamericana highway through town. These bridges are accident black-spots as drivers weave in from feeder lanes and compete for ‘me first’. There’s a year’s work and hold-ups ahead but this is a welcome development… on the other hand, the race track will be complete!

Yesterday, a B&B guest asked why the roads are so much better here than they are over in the tourist ‘hot spot’ of Guanacaste. I’ve no idea but round the local area, our municipality certainly works hard at constant improvements.

Joy of joys on a wet afternoon, our old neighbours Jose and Laura came to visit with young Samanta, to let us see her ‘caminando’ – walking. I just marvel at the facial expressions of toddlers who suddenly realize they can do something new – she’s so cute!

Before closing, we’ve just had a visit to Scott’s mountain retreat – everything he says about the wonderful setting and magnificent lodge is absolutely true; a perfect hide-away furnished in excellent taste, and all those mountain humming-birds are just amazing. (He’s a pretty mean chef as well but don’t tell him I told you so!!)

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Written by VIP Member Sheelagh Richards. Sheelagh is originally from Scotland and her husband John who is from Wales are two inveterate British travellers who fell in love with Costa Rica, the beauty of the Talamanca mountain range and the perfect climate of the Rio General valley where they have established a small Bed & Breakfast called Casa de Los Celtas.

You can see more about John and Sheelagh’s very affordable B&B outside San Isidro here and photographs and prices here and you can also see a free online video interview with John & Sheelagh Richards here.

Please contact our Recommended Costa Rica Realtors working in the area: James Drews, Daveed Hollander and John Wieland, by using the simple form below and they’ll send you:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.